In two separate incidents, four men were busted for allegedly catching and keepng 146 speckled trout on Jan. 12 in Golden Meadow, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
LDWF Strike Force agents cited Lebron Shelby, 46, and Linkton Arnold Jr., 72, both of Raceland, and Michael Musco, 38, of Golden Meadow for taking over the legal daily limit of speckled sea trout. Louisiana law allows 25 speckled trout per day per fisherman.
Agents setup surveillance and observed Shelby and Arnold Jr. catching several trout from their boat and then transferring the fish to their truck. The subjects would then allegedly continue fishing.
After observing the subjects complete their fishing trip, the agents approached Shelby and Arnold to conduct a license and creel compliance check. The two men were allegedly found to have taken 109 speckled trout ranging from 12 to 17 inches in length, the LDWF announced.
In a separate case in the same area, agents said they watched Musco taking 35 speckled trout.
For taking over the daily limit of spotted trout, Shelby and Arnold faces fines between $400 and $950, or up to 120 days in jail, or both plus a $25 per fish restitution charge for every fish over the limit. Musco faces a fine between $100 and $300, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus a $25 per fish restitution charge for every fish over the limit.
